Move over Mojito – the Maltito cocktail is the smoky, grown-up drink you’ll want for summer aperitivo hour

If a Mojito spent the summer in a moody, wood-panelled bar, it would emerge as the Maltito cocktail.

This thirst quencher is made with a peaty Islay whisky to provide the kick, but you can use any smoky whisky to flavor yours.

Blended with the bright freshness of mint and lime, it creates a drink that’s at once cooling and complex. Of all our cocktail recipes, it’s the most unexpected, grown-up, and perfect to round off your barbecue menu and enjoy as the sun sets.

Ingredients

• Serves 4
• 4 oz (6 tsbp) peat-flavored Islay whisky
• 4 sugar lumps
• 8 fresh mint sprigs (and extra for decoration)
• Juice of 1 lime
• 12 ice cubes

The Homes & Gardens method

1. Combine the whisky, sugar, mint sprigs and lime juice in a cocktail shaker (this cocktail shaker set is Amazon's top seller and includes everything you need for prepping for parties), measuring jug or tall glass and “muddle” until the sugar, mint and lime are combined.
2. Divide the ice among four cocktail glasses, strain the Maltito into each glass and decorate with the extra mint.

If you're hosting a cocktail party, the one thing you can't do without is the right kit; our feature on how to perfect your home bar setup includes hosting tips and essential buys.